VLA Subreflector

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VLA Subreflector

The Very Large Array dish antennas focus their radio waves to a second reflector (seen here). It is placed exactly where the radio waves come to a focus after reflecting off of the 25-meter parabolic dishes. The so-called “subreflector” bounces the collected radio waves straight through the throat of the dish where multiple receivers could be placed. It is mounted on a swivel, so that it can rock to aim waves directly into different receivers.

Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF

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